The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday confirmed that it will be investigating officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) following the soaring prices of red and white onions in the market.
In a statement, Ombusdman Samuel Martires said their office will look into the involvement of traders in price manipulation that may have caused a spike in the farmgate prices of onions.
Likewise, they will also probe the procurement of the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) of onions worth PHP 537 per kilo from the Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative.
Martires said he will seek an explanation from DA officials and the FTI.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. is the concurrent secretary of the Agriculture department.
Senator Cynthia Villar earlier blamed cartels for the high price of onion in the market, saying that traders buying crops from local farmers were responsible for hoarding vegetables to manipulate price increases.
Prices of onion have already reached P600 to P700 per kilo in the market.
